Sing, O Muse, of the regret of Majnun
The sun was cruel and kind. The wind was cold and just right, as Malum could be seen plowing away at the holy site. 20 years have gone by. Malum has a black beard with hints of gray. He wears an eye patch to hide his Nasnas eye. Most of his armor has been discarded, but he still wears the bit with Mahmud's tusks.
Malum took a break from farming. He looked at the nearby Ka'aba. He then looked towards his beloved daughter. Medina, about 28 years of age, could be seen playing with animals of all kinds. From lions, stags, wolves, lynxes, pumas, onagers, and desert foxes. She dearly loved her friends, and they her.
One of the foxes, for all Arabs could understand the tongue of animals, now sang these couplets:
" One glance from her eyes would have been enough to bring hundred Kings to their knees; one smile from her ruby lips would have been enough to conquer an entire army, had she so wished.
Her beauty was lost on no one, and no one escaped her snare. Her eyes took prisoner after prisoner, each one tied and bound with tresses.
Anyone who so much as glanced at her flower-like face was smitten instantly, hungry for the nectar of her lips and the honey of her kisses. Yet her eyelashes refused to give charity; her eyes, as they closed, seemed to say; ' God alone can grant you what you desire, for I shall give you nothing.' Hundreds of hearts had already fallen into the well of her beauty, so powerful was her spell. "
The poets would say of Medina:
" Her hair was indeed as dark as night itself, while beneath the shadow of her hair, her face shone out like a radiant beacon of beauty. Her eyes were dark and deep and lustrous, like the eyes of a gazelle, and with one flutter of her eyelashes she could have reduced the whole world to ruin. Her tiny mouth opened only to say the sweetest things, and when others responded - either with words or smiles - she would blush, bringing blood-red roses into bloom on her milk-white cheeks. "
But please. Do not let her beauty distract you, for Medina has all three Bs. She can fight like the two Princesses: Abriza and al-Datma. She is as wise as Tawaddud.
Cunning as Queen Zumurrud. Even more sly than Dalilah the Wily. As headstrong as Hayat al-Nufus. And as kind as Zaynab bint Ali. Her beauty surpassed that of Manar al-Sana, and her skills surpassed that of Queen Nur al-Huda.
(Malum would train Medina during the day, and Hatim Tai would train her during the night: within the lands of dreams.)
The iciest of hearts would have melted at the very sight of this miracle of creation, but Malum, at times, did not seem affected. He barely noticed his adopted child. It was not as if he ignored her. It just seemed like he had a lot on his mind.
Please do not misunderstand. Malum loved his daughter, for he would tell her daily. He would also shower her with gifts.
Gifts, such as:
The Ebony Horse of the Persian Sage - which can take her wherever she likes: on land or in the sky.
The mechanical horse can also transform into: Trojan Talos.
The Horse carries The Saddlebags of 'Abd al-Samad.
The Charmed Sword of Abu Mohammed - turns one invisible or summons an army of Ifrits.
Medina has the Kurd's Bag. It is a bottomless bag, which can store things like: people, buildings, weapons, and animals - I am not joking… in short: It's bigger on the inside.
Things inside the bag:
The Greed of Qarun - for Malum wanted to make sure that Medina was financially stable.
The Blacksmith Fire could not Hurt.
Nesace Nasnas - The Dragon of Death. Malum was the one who stole one of Nesace's eyes; hence why the dragon is missing an eye. Nesace is also the dragon from the east, who was vanquished by Gabriel, Israfill, Michael, and Azrael.
The treasures of al-Shamardal:
The Celestial Globe.
The Kohl Case.
The Signet Ring.
And the Sword.
Seeds from the Waqwaq tree.
(When thrown on the ground; Tree-Amazonians will sprang forth.)
A bottle filled with Zamzam water.
(The water has incredible healing properties.)
(Medina would later find out; that Malum had rubbed her feet with the Juice of the Serpent Queen, which meant that Medina could walk on the surface of water.)
Now… back to the story!
Gindibu came to sell some lubān(frankincense).
Malum and Medina both traveled to Dadan, Taymā, and Dūmah to sell their goods at The Market of Wardan. It was in these cities that Medina loved to hear music by Ziryab, and songs by Amir Khusrau.
But it was not all work. The two of them also enjoyed some vacation time at Labtit, capital of Rum, and Takni - The Jeweled Castle.
" Layla "(Malum's nickname for Medina.)
Medina quickly turned around and caught the apple thrown at her. She did not know it, but those apples were special, for they all came from the Island of Sakhr.
They were now back at Mekka.
Medina was playing with her friends, while Malum was watching over her. That was when a fox whispered something in his ear.
" Good boy " said Malum, as he patted his loyal friend; " go and distract Medina "
The fox gently pushed Medina to the ground, and started to lick her face. Malum got up, and went to deal with the threat. From time to time, unsurprisingly, creatures from other worlds would find their way to Malum's world. Some of these creatures were not so... friendly. So Malum had to "deal" with them. He held his Zabaniyah-Zulfiqar in each hand - for the one blade could become two. The creatures all growled at him.
" Requiescat in pace " said Malum, as he had dealt with the invaders.
Medina was cuddled up among her animal companions: enjoying a nap, as Malum was sitting by the fire: making a meal. The sun was still up, and that was when Malum noticed a stranger walk towards them. He looked at his animal friends, but none of them seemed uneasy.
The stranger was an elderly man, with a kind and warm face.
" May I join you? " asked the stranger with a gentle smile. Malum gestured that the man may sit.
The stranger sat, and that was when Malum gave him a cup of tea.
" Shukran " said the stranger, as he took a sip of his tea.
Things were quiet, for Malum did not feel the need to fill in the silence.
" What is on your mind? " asked the stranger.
" Why? "
" Just making light conversation "
" Nothing. "
" I doubt that "
" Why? "
" Your mind must be filled with something, " said the stranger with a smile.
Malum meditated for a moment. He then said:
" Nothing. "
The stranger sighed. But then Malum said:
" Redemption "
" Oh " said the stranger, curious; " why? "
Malum paused.
" I am not a good man… "
" Oh " said the stranger, surprised; " you were kind enough to show me some hospitality "
" My youth was spent on wicked things… dreadful things… haram things… "
The stranger noticed the familiar tusks.
" I see " said the stranger, as he took another sip; " you are wondering if your lot is in Jannah or Jahannam "
Malum was quiet.
" Hey " said the stranger with a smile; " if nothing else. You can always go to Al Aaraaf "
Malum giggled.
" That is assuming that I have done enough good to balance the evil… which I doubt I have… "
The stranger looked around, and noticed the green land around the Kaaba.
" I would say so "
Malum shook his head. He then asked:
" Who are you? "
" Prince Mukasa Ali "
But Malum knew that he was lying.
" Fine... " said the stranger, as he cleared his throat; " I am simply a Scholar from Basra "
Malum narrowed his eyes at the scholar.
The stranger got up, ready to leave. He took a few steps, and that was when Medina awoke from her nap. The sun was shining from behind her, amplifying her already heavenly beauty.
The scholar was dumbfounded, speechless, and awe-stricken. He could not help but recite these couplets:
" When this young picture of beauty began to speak, the words poured from her lips so sweetly and with such eloquence that the stream ceased to ripple and splash, as though it, too, was hanging on her every word. As for her eyes - well, what can I say?! Even a lion would fall into a trance were the eyes of such a gazelle to fall on him! Her appearance was that of a most beauteous book in which all of the subtlest, most beautiful characters of our alphabet had been written. Her hair was curled like the hook of the letter "Jim"; her figure was as lithe and slender as an "Alif"; her mouth was curved like a "Mim". Yes, when you add these three letters together, they spell "Jam"(goblet), and that is what she was: a precious goblet of crystal reflecting the secrets of the universe! Her eyes are narcissi that flower at the mouth of a stream: look deep into them and you can see her dreams! But with these few words I cannot do her justice to her beauty, for it is like the light of life itself. "
Medina noticed the scholar's gaze. She turned away, as to say: ' God alone can grant you what you desire, for I shall give you nothing. '
The stranger kept looking, but that was when he noticed that Malum was looking at him.
The stranger feared for his life, for Malum had a look in his eyes, which said: ' leave now, or I will kill you. '
Understandably, the scholar ran like hell.
Malum sighed. He then stood up and said:
" Layla "
Medina turned towards her father. With the smile of an Houri, she said:
" Baba! "
Malum paused for a moment, as if to say: ' don't do that… don't give me hope… '
" It is time to train "
Medina picked up her sword, and then ran to her father's side.
The two of them, as stated earlier, would train daily. Medina would improve, but she could still not best her father. Malum had always told her: " To use every advantage. "
Which is just what she intended to do.
Medina jumped out of the way, as a lion tackled Malum to the ground. Malum was able to get the lion off, but that was when Medina held a sword to his throat.
" Clever girl… " said Malum, hella proud.
Medina smiled. She then landed on her father's stomach.
The two of them just laid like that for a while.
Malum whipped away some sweat from his forehead, as he was in the midst of laying some Fanous around the Kaaba. He wasn't sure why, but Malum felt the need to look behind himself. He turned around, and that was when he saw a man approaching. The man was wearing a cloak and a hood, so Malum could not see his face. But every hair on his body was standing straight, and he kept getting goosebumps. Then something truly odd happened… Malum felt a hint of fear…
" As-salaam 'alykum " said the man in a soft tone.
" Wa-Alaikum-Salaam " returned Malum.
The man took off his hood.
Malum looked upon a kind face… too kind. The man had a beard - not too long. His hair was long and curly, and his eyes were that of a gazelle, with the hint of an eagle.
" Baba " said Medina, as she walked up to her father, holding a Fanous. Medina stopped, for she noticed the man.
" My " said the man, kindly; " who is she? "
" My daughter, " said Malum.
" She is quite the flower "
Medina was about to say something, but that was when a lion walked in front of her: growling at the man. Malum did the same: with his eyes.
" Layla "
" Baba? "
" Go and check on dinner; make sure that it is not burnt "
Medina felt uneasy. She could feel like something was wrong.
" Baba… "
Malum turned to look at her.
" Don't worry " said Malum with a kind and warm fatherly smile; " everything will be alright "
Medina felt assured… but worried. She still did as she was told, while being guarded by all her animal companions.
" What a lovely daughter you have, " said the man.
" Thank you, " said Malum, calmly; " who are you? "
" My name is Samiri "
Malum introduced himself.
" I do not wish to be rude, but I was hoping to get something to eat and drink. I have been walking the desert for days without any luck… May I impose on your hospitality? "
" Hmm " sounded Malum. He then signed that Samiri should follow.
Samiri bowed gratefully.
Malum turned his back, and that was when everything within him cried out: danger!
Malum was taking his eye patch off, as he turned around… but it was already too late, as Samiri plugged out his Nasnas Eye.
Malum fell to his knees, holding back the blood waterfall. He then heard Medina cry out. Malum turned to see a wolf and lion circulating his daughter. There was just one problem… The wolf and lion did not seem familiar.
" Oh, those two " said Samiri; " they are mine: Khalit and Malit - Samiri now opened his hand - ah… the dreaded Nasnas Eye: able to kill any with a single glance… kinda like Anubis? "
" Haram " said Malum.
Samiri giggled. He then crushed the eye.
" Who are you, really? " asked Malum.
" Ah " said Samiri, calmly and cheerfully; " you would be amazed at how much a name and appearance change can do "
Malum could feel his veins go cold, as a third eye appeared on Samiri's forehead.
" False One… " uttered Malum in horror.
" The one and only " said Dajjal with a smile; " you know: I have been wondering. After everything you have done, and been through, what do you believe in? "
Malum giggled.
" What is so funny? " asked Dajjal with a grin.
" I believe in one thing " Malum paused, before he said; " I believe in her "
Dajjal now saw how Medina killed both Khalit and Malit. As Dajjal was distracted, Malum saw his opening. Using Nāzi'āt, Malum ran his right arm into Dajjal's chest. Malum paused in horror, as Dajjal smiled. Using Nāshiṭāt, Malum ran his left arm into Dajjal's chest. Dajjal fell to his knees, as Malum kept searching.
With gleeful glee, Dajjal said:
" I have no soul, fool "
Without using either Nāzi'āt or Nāshiṭāt, Dajjal ran his right arm through Malum's chest.
" Baba! " cried out Medina, in horror.
Malum felt his life fading away, as Azrael got closer… but… he still had to ensure that Medina would be safe.
Malum gripped tightly onto Dajjal's arm.
" Mashallah " said Dajjal, impressed.
Malum now said the following in Arabic:
" The Angel of Death Announces Your Death "
Dajjal felt a sharp pain in his chest, as Mahmud had run Zabaniyah-Zulfiqar through his chest.
" Mashallah… " uttered Dajjal, as Azrael came for him.
Medina ran to her father, as both men fell to the ground.
" Baba… " uttered Medina, as pearls ran down her soft cheeks.
Malum looked up at her.
" She truly is beautiful… " thought Malum to himself; " and she is far more than I deserve… "
After having said the Shahada within his heart. Malum kissed Medina's forehead.
" I believe in you… Layla… "
Malum's last breath left him, as Azrael too came for him.
After having grieved. Medina buried her father in front of the Kaaba, where Mahdi was also laid to rest.
It was now night, as Medina walked alongside her Ebony Horse. She looked back one last time, seeing a crescent moon above the Kaaba, while all the lanterns shone brightly.
This is what Medina had written on the headstone - In Arabic, of course ;p
" Two men lie sleeping in this tomb, united at last in death's delightful womb. Faithful in separation, true in love: one heart, one soul in heaven above. "